Rotary disk bit



June "4,-1935. J. w. sPERRY ROTQRY DISK BITV Filed Aug. 19, 1929 Vso Patented June* 4, 19.35

UNITED STATES l ,ROTARY msx Brr .vaines w.v` Sperry. south Pasadengcauf. Application August 19, 1929, Serial No. 388,847

a claims.

This invention-relates to rotary well drilling equipment and relates particularly to a rotary drilling bit in which the cutting edges are formed on circular blades or disks which revolve during the cutting operation, thus bringing consecutive portions of the cutting edgesinto cutting engagement with the earth structure being pene- It is an object of the invention to provide a l0'4 4disk bit having a plurality of cutting disks mounted 'in rotatable manner on bearing members which are secured in an integral body structure having downwardly extending legsy or iingers of rugged character in which the bearing members are held and securely locked in position in such a manner that they will not become loosened and displaced during the drilling operation so as to cause loss of steel parts of the drill bit in the hole.

A further'object of the invention is to pro` vide a body with a pluralityv of downwardly exbetween the legs in thechannels formed thereby, and pin members extending through the legs and the bearing members for holding the bearing members securely in position in such a manner that they cannot come loose and be lost with the cutters in the well.

vide a bitl of this character having a plurality of cutting disks operating in adjacentpositions but being so supported'that they will rotate on disaligned axes, `thereby producing an action which will cause a very thorough mixing of the cuttings into the rotary mud which is -delivered into the zoneof the cutting operation through discharge openings in the drill bit. Y

. A further object of the invention is to provide a drill bit of this character having a bodywith outlet or discharge openings for Vrotary mud, these openings being so placed that the rotary mud will be directed against the cutting edges of the disk cutters employed inthe bit. i

A further object of the inventionis to provide a new locking means forI pins or bolts employed in drill bits, which locking means is so formed Fig. l is an elevational viewr showing a simple A further object of the invention is toproembodiment of my invention attached to a sub having reamerelements, this entire assembly being adapted for attachment to the -lower end of a string of drill pipe. Fig. 2 is a side view of the lower end of the 5' drill bit shown in Fig. v1 derived as indicated by the arrow 2 therein. r v

Fig. 3 is a partlysectioned view of the lower end of the drill bitv showingthe manner in which the disk bearings are secured in'place in the l0 bit body. Y' f Fig. 4 is a 'crosssectionon a plane represented by the line 4-4 `of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5,is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view showing in detail a modied form of lock- 15 ing device and further showing the use of a single pin for holding the bearing member `of a small disk blt. x

Fig. 6 is an elevational view showing the threaded end of theV pin illustrated in Iiig.v 5.,

7 is anenlargedelevational view showing the locking means which appears in section in f Fis. 5.v l f A simple embodiment of my invention disclosed 'in Fig. 1 includesa body |.I of cylindriz5 -cal form, but flattened on the sides thereof as indicated at l2, having projecting downwardly therefrom a central leg i3, intermediate legs Il, and outer legs l5. The adjacent faces of the legs yI3, l4,.and I5 are preferably yflat kand 30 parallel in 'order that lthe inner and outer spaces or channels I1 and le willbe, deilned by flat parallel walls- I9. v v

. For purpose oi' attaching the bit to a cooperating drilling structure, the upper end of the body Il is provided with an internally threaded recess 20 in which a threaded pin 2| of a sub 22 or other tool joint part maybe screwed. The sub 22 has `a threaded tool joint pin 23 projecting upwardly therefrom in the manner 40 shown, which may be threaded into a tool joint box von the lower `end ofva string of drill pipe which extends downwardly within a hole being drilled and is rotatedby rotaryvdrilling mechanism situated in the derrick of the drilling 45 equipment, all of which is well known to the rotary well `drilling art and therefore will not be further discussed herein. The sub 22 is provided with reamer element which are preferably. in' the form of reamer rollers retainedin 50 the customary manner in suitable recesses 25 of the sub 22. Y

As shown best in Figs. 3 and 4, bearing members 21 forinner cutter'disks 28 are secured in 'the inner channels I1, and bearing members V20 u for outer cutter disks 88 are secured inthe outer channels or faces I8, The bearing members 21 and 28 are of cylindrical form, and the cutters 28 and 4-88 are bored to t the circumferential faces 8| of the bearing members 21 and 28 somewhat loosely so that the cutters 28 and 88, which are of less width or thickness than the spaces or channels I1 and I8, may have a wobbling action on the bearing members 21 and 28.

In larger bits of my invention the ,bearing members 21 and 28 are secured in place by pairs of pins 82 and 88, one pair of pins 82 and 88 projecting inwardly through each of the outer legs I8, through the adjacent intermediate leg I8, and making threaded engagement at 88 with the innerleg or central leg I8, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The right-hand pairy of pins 82 and 88 and the left-hand pair, of pins 82A and 88 are each respectively located forward- 1y of a central or diametral vertical axis A-A- Therefore, the threaded inner ends of thepins 82 and 88 engage the central leg I8 at points on either side of a central discharge opening 81 which extends vertically through the central leg I8 so' as to deliver mud or drilling fluid from a counterbore 88 formed at the lower. end -of the threaded recess 28 to the zone of -the drilling operation adjacent to the lower edges of the cutters 28 and 88. The forwardly offsetting ofthe pairs of pins 82 and 88 in the manner previously described is for the purpose of causing the cutter disks 28 and 88 to project laterally from the bit structure in the direction of rotation of the bit so that the cutting action will be conned to. the forward portions of the cutting edges as indicated at 88 and also to the lower portions of the cutting edges which are in engagement with the bottom of the hole.

As will be noted, the inner cutting disks 28 are' of smaller diameter than the outer cutting disks 88, but the lower portions of the cutting .edges provided by the inner disks 28 are nearly in horizontal augment with the lower portions of the cutting edges provided by the outer disks 88, this resulting in an eccentric relative rotation between the inner disks 28 and the outer disks 88. To accomplishr this eccentricity in vertical direction, holes 88 and 8| in the respective inner and outer bearing members 21 and 28 vare respectively upwardly and downwardly offset so that when the pins 82 and 88 are extended through such holes, the bearing members 21 and 28 will be held in relativelyvertically eccentric positions shown in Fig. 3.

As will be perceivedin Fig. 1, the sub 22 is provided with a central opening 88 through which rotary mud or drilling fluid' may pass from the lower end of a drill pipe into the distributing counterbore or recess 88 in the body I I, a part of suchl rotary mud or drilling fluid passing downwardly through the central discharge opening 81 so as to be delivered into the well at a point immediately adjacent to the lower portions of the cutting edges provided by the inner disks 28.

For properly` lubricating andremoving cuttings from the outer disks 88 I provide a pair of discharge openings -88 whichl are directed downwardly and outwardly from the recess 88 in a direction such as indicated by the arrows 88 Vof Fig. 2 so that jets or streams of the drilling uid will be delivered outwardly and4 vcutting position with the bottom of the hole.

The outer ends of the pins 82 and 88 are provided with cylindrical collars 88 from which squared portions 8| extend, these collars 88 being received in cylindrical recesses 82 at thev inner ends of bores 88 formed in the legs I8.

The' outer portions of the bores 88 are threaded,

as indicated at 84, to receive annular externally threaded locking members 88, openings 88 of these locking members being deformed so as to receive a wrench or key by which to screw in and unscrew the locking members. The openings 88 are of such size that the annular members 88 will ilt down over the squared projections 8| of the pins 82 and 88. As shown in Fig. "I, the openings `88 may'be made'polygonal, such 'as hexagonal, and the key for cooperation therewith to turn the" locking members 88 will then be made of corresponding polygonal form. In the assembly of the bit, the pins 82 and 88 areextended through the bearing members 21 and 28 and by engagement by a wrench with the squared projections 8| are rotated in left-hand direction and thereby screwed tightly into the central leg I8. The locking members 88 are then vinserted and screwed tightly against the cylindrical collars 88 of the pins 82 and 88, and in this manner lock such pins firmly and positively against becoming loosened and unscrewed from their required positions of operation.

In the smaller sizes of rotary disk bits as illustrated in Fig. 5, the size of the parts employed is not sulcient to permit of the use of the supthese small bits a single pin is employed which extends through a single eccentric opening 88 in a bearing member 8|. Toprevent rotation of the bearing member 8|, the shank portion of a pin used in this manner may be fluted or madepolygonal, as indicated at 82, the extreme inner end thereo!,however. being turned down and threaded, as indicated at 88, so that the desired threaded engagement may be made with the cooperating central leg of the drill bit.

This form oi?v smaller rotary bit is adapted to perform a very emcient cutting operation and, having supporting legs or extensions I8,` I8, and I8 integrally formed with the body II, has

no parts which the forces and vvibrations en countered during the drilling operation will cause to become unscrewed, displaced, or vlost within they well. I have herein shown the invention in simple and operative form, but it is 'recognized that certain parts or elements are aooarar to thedetails disclosed'vherein but shall have the` scope set forth in the following claims.

An additional important feature of the invention is the novel means I provide for protecting the inner-wal1s of the leg members Il and l5 f-rom Wear, confining the wear of operation to easily replaceable and relatively inexpensive parts. By reference to Fig. 5. it will be noted that outwardly extending flanges may be formed on the bearing members 121 and 29, there being cooperating counterbores 1I in the outer bores of the rotary cutter disks `28 and 30.

AIn the operation of the 4bit, the cutting action 1| of the cutters 28 and 30 prevents engagement o scribed, including: a bodyfhaving a central, inf of thev outer faces of the cutters with the inner faces of-the legs, the wear ofv operation being between the flanges 10 and counterboresll andA thus relieved from the inner faces of the legs The bearing members 21 and 29.

I4 'and l5; and the cutters 28 and 30 are the replaceable .elements of the bits and by my improved conincluding: a body having a central, intermediate,`

and outer legs projecting 'downwardly' therefrom, said legs being of relatively'thin, flat form and having the opposing faces thereof parallel so as to provide inner and outer cutter receiving spaces between the ilat faces of said legs; right-hand and left-hand pairs of supporting pins, each of said pairs of supporting pins projecting through one of said outer legs, the adjacent intermediate leg, and making threaded engagement with said central leg; inner and outer bearing members supported respectively in' said inner and outer spaces by said lefthand and right-hand pairs of pins, said outer bearing members being eccentric to. said inner bearing members; and inner and outer cutter disks supported respectively on ,said inner and outer bearing members..

2. A rotary disk bit of the character described, including: a body having a central, intermediate, and outer legs projecting 'downwardly therefrom, said legs `being of relatively thin, at form and having the opposing faces thereof parallel so as to'provide inner and outer cutter receiving. spaces between the fiat faces of said legs; right-hand andleft-hand pairs of supporting pins, each of said pairs. of supporting pins projecting through one of said outer legs, the adjacent intermediate les, land making threaded engagement with said central leg; inner and outer bearing members supported respectively in said inner and outer spaces by said left-hand and right-hand pairs of pins, said outer bearing members'being eccentric to said inner bearing members; inner and outer cutter disks supported respectively on said inner and outer-bearing members; and locking means for securing said pins in operative posiright-hand and left-hand pairs of supporting i,

pins, each of said pairsof supporting pins projecting through one of said outer legs, the adjacentintermediate leg, and making threaded engagement with said central leg; inner and outer bearing members supported respectively in said'inner and outer spaces by saidr left-hand i and Aright-hand pairs of pins, said/outerbear- .ing members .being eccentric to said inner bearingl members; and inner and router cutter disks supported respectively on said` inner and outer bearing members, there being a central fluid passage extending vertically through said cen-- .tral leg` and side uid passages sloped at such angles as to direct streams of cutting fluid towardthe forward portions of the cutting edges o .said outer cutting disks. 4 a

4. A rotary disk bit of the character ,de-

termediat'e, vand outer legs projectingdownwardly therefrom, said .legs beingof relatively thin, flat form'and having the opposing faces thereof parallell so as toprovide inner and outer cutterV receiving spaces betweenthe iial'...faces4 of said-rilegs; right-hand and left-hand pairs .of supporting pins, eachof said pairs of 'supportingpins projecting through one of said outer o 'l ;legs,` the adjacent intermediate-leg, and making .threaded engagement with said central leg; i

inner and outer bearing members supported respectively in said innerand outer spaces by saidA left-hand and-right-hand pairs of pins, outer bearing members being eccentric to saidf' inner bearing members; inner and outercutter disks supported respectively onsaid inner vand outer bearing members; and locking means for securing said pins in operative position, there being av central fluid passage extending vertically through ,said central leg and side iluid passages sloped at ,such angles as to direct streams of cutting fluid toward the forward portions of lthe cutting edges of said outer cutter disks.

of pins and said left-hand pair of pins being forwardlyoifset in thel direction of rotation of said bit; inner and outer bearing members sup` ported respectively in said inner and outer spaces Iby said left-hand and right-hand pairs of pins, said outer bearing members being eccentric to said inner bearing members; and inner and outer cutter disks supported respectively on said inner and outer bearing members.

6. A rotary disk bit of the character described, including: a body having a central, intermediate, and outer le'gs'projecting downwardly therefrom, said legs' being of relatively thin, dat

form and having the opposing faces thereof parallel so as to provide inner and outer cutter receiving spaces between the flat faces of said legs; right-hand and left-hand pairs 0f supporting pins, each of said pairs of supporting pins projecting through one of said outer legs, the adjacent intermediate leg, and making threaded engagement with said central leg, said 'tral leg and side fluid passages sloped at such angles as to direct streams of cutting fluidtoward the forward portions of the of said outer cutter disks.

7. A rotary bit of the character described, including: -a body having a plurality of legs projecting downwardly therefrom, Athe opposing faces of said legs being substantially parallel and providing cutter receiving spaces therebetween; pinsv extending laterally .through said legs; relatively inner and outer bearing members supported by said pins in the'spaces between said legs in vertically eccentricv position, said bearing members having openings therethrough'to receive said pins, and the axes of the inner bearing members being downwardly offset relative to the axes of the outer bearing members; and cutters operative on said bearing members, the outer cutters being .of larger dlameter than the inner cutters.

8. A rotary bit of character described, including: Y a body having a plurality of legs excutting edgestending vertically therefrom, the opposing faces of said legs being at and providing cutter receiving spaces therebetween; pins extending laterally through said legs; relatively inner and outer bearing members supported on the exposed L portion of said pins in such a manner that portions thereof will be exposed tol receive bearlng members thereon in vertically eccentric position, said bearing membersL having openings therethrough to receive said pins and the axes of the inner bearing members being downwardly offset relative to the axes of the outer, bearing members; and cutters mounted on said bearing members, the outer cutters being of larger diameter than the inner cutters.

9 A rotary bit of the character described, including: a boch! having outer and inner pairs of legs projecting downwardly therefrom, there being-a central legrprojecting from said body between vthe said inner pair of legs, the opposing faces of said legs being substantially parallel and providing cutter receiving spaces therebetween; pins extending laterally through said legs; bearing members supported by said pins in vsaid spaces in verticallyeccentric position, said bearingmembers having openings therethrough vto receive said pins, and the axes of vthe inner bearing members being downwardly '.oifset relative to the axes of the outer bearing members; and cutters operative on said bear# JAMIEB4 W. SPERRY 

